Accra: The European Union (EU) has invested approximately US$16.24 billion in Ghana over the past three decades, according to the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Simon Madjie. The investments, recorded between 1994 and May 2026, encompass 2,236 projects across key sectors, with manufacturing receiving the largest share.
According to Ghana Web, Madjie disclosed this information during the inaugural Ghana-EU Thematic Dialogue on Economic Stabilisation and the Business Environment in Accra. He highlighted that manufacturing alone attracted over US$8.49 billion, indicating a shift towards industrial production and value addition. The services sector recorded 804 projects, followed by manufacturing with 456 and general trading with 219. Additionally, construction investments exceeded US$2 billion, while the mining sector received around US$406 million.
Madjie emphasized that the dialogue built on commitments made during the June 2025 EU-Ghana Partnership Dialogue, where both parties agreed to enhance engagement on economic stabilisation and business environment reforms. Discussions centered on maximizing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and exploring the proposed Sustainable Investment Facilitation Agreement (SIFA) to enhance legal certainty for investors.
He noted that Ghana's macroeconomic outlook has improved, with the completion of the US$3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) Extended Credit Facility programme and a transition to a Policy Coordination Instrument to support fiscal discipline. The upgrade of Ghana's sovereign credit rating by Fitch Ratings to 'B' with a positive outlook in May 2026 further reflects improving investor confidence.
Simon Madjie highlighted recent government reforms, including the Ghana Investment Promotion Authority Bill, 2026, the Value for Money Office Act, 2026, and amendments to the Companies Act, 2019 (Act 992), which are strengthening the country's investment environment. The GIPC is also shifting its focus from solely investment promotion to investment retention and expansion, emphasizing improved aftercare services, faster approvals, and a structured investor grievance mechanism.
EU Ambassador to Ghana, Rune Skinnebach, stated that the EU remains Ghana's largest investor, with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) stock at £4.9 billion in 2025. He noted that in 2025, the EU imported £3.7 billion from Ghana, primarily cocoa, while exporting £3.3 billion to the country.
German Ambassador Frederick Landshoft described Ghana as a "gateway to West Africa" and reaffirmed Europe's commitment to the partnership. Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, Sampson Ahi, expressed the government's aim to transform the economy and expand its productive base.